The Game The Liberty men's basketball team returns to action on Tuesday, taking on fellow Commonwealth and Big South competitor VMI. The Flames square off with a Top 10 scoring offense for the second straight game, facing a Keydet squad that is No. 2 in the country in scoring (85.8 ppg).

With the defeat, Liberty falls to 5-12 on the season and 0-5 in Big South play. UNC Asheville improves to 10-6 on the year and 5-0 in the conference.

Needing just two assists to pass Radford's Amir Johnson (604 assists) as the Big South's all-time assist leader, Jesse Sanders garnered his record-breaking dime at the 13:11 mark of the first half, dishing it to Tavares Speaks for the jumper. Sanders concluded the night with 10 assists, giving him 613 for his career. The Sugar Land, Texas native now needs 36 helpers to surpass Karl Hess (1977-80, 648 assists) for Liberty's all-time assist record.

J.P. Primm paced the Bulldogs with 21 points, followed by Jaron Lane with 15 tallies. John Caleb Sanders led Liberty with 18 points, while older brother Jesse finished with 12.

Watch and Listen to the Flames Liberty's clash with the Keydets will be broadcast live on the Liberty Channel and tape delayed on MASN at 11:30 p.m. Ray Jones will serve as the play-by-play announcer, while Tim Scarborough will handle color commentary. The game will also be video streamed live on the Big South Network.

There will be a Flames Sports Network radio broadcast (flagship WRVL 88.3 FM) for Saturday's contest, with Alan York providing the play-by-play. In addition to the radio broadcast, an Internet audio broadcast on LibertyFlames.com will be available.

- The contest marks Liberty's second straight game facing a Top 10 scoring offense.

- Since VMI has joined the Big South (2003-04) the Flames have won the opening meeting each season all but one time. The Keydets bested Liberty in their first meeting of the 2005-06 season, 84-68 (Jan. 14, 2006).

News and Notes from Liberty's game versus UNC Asheville (Jan. 7) - With the defeat, Liberty fell to 5-12 on the season and 0-5 in Big South play. UNC Asheville improved to 10-6 on the year and 5-0 in the conference.

- Needing just two assists to pass Radford's Amir Johnson (604 assists) as the Big South's all-time assist leader, Jesse Sanders garnered his record-breaking dime at the 13:11 mark of the first half, dishing it to Tavares Speaks for the jumper. Sanders concluded the night with 10 assists, giving him 613 for his career. The Sugar Land, Texas native now needs 36 helpers to surpass Karl Hess (1977-80, 648 assists) for Liberty's all-time assist record.

- J.P. Primm paced the Bulldogs with 21 points, followed by Jaron Lane with 15 tallies. John Caleb Sanders led Liberty with 18 points, while older brother Jesse finished with 12.

- The Bulldogs shot 76.9 percent (20-of-26) in the second half, finishing with 62.1 percent (36-of-58) for the contest. Liberty shot 45.3 percent (29-of-64) from the field for the game. Asheville hit 15 three-pointers on the night, outpointing Liberty from downtown, 45-21. - Tomasz Gielo made his first career start, finishing with eight points.

Miscellaneous Notes - Jesse Sanders is currently leading the Flames in points (12.8 ppg), rebounds (7.8 rpg) and assists (8.3 apg). The Sugar Land Texas native is one of eight players in country leading his team in all three categories. Sanders is third in the country in assists and is the only player in the country averaging at least six rebounds and six assists per game.

- Last season, John Caleb Sanders posted 126 points on the year. The sophomore guard currently has 200 tallies through 17 games this season. Sanders' minutes are up dramatically this season. After averaging 12.4 minutes per game in 2010-11, the Sugar Land, Texas native is averaging 25.9 per game, this year.

- After starting last season 5-0 in conference play, Liberty is 0-5 this season. The last time Liberty started 0-5 in Big South play was the 1998-99 season, when the Flames finished 0-10 in conference action.